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Bar owners have asked for six months to soundproof their premises and relocate to areas zoned for nightclubs.

Speaking to the press at Roadhouse Grill in Hurlingham, Nairobi, yesterday, under the auspices of Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (Perak), the traders condemned Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s Friday decision to ban nightclubs within residential areas.

“We find this action to be punitive because stakeholders were not involved,” said Perak boss Michael Muthami (pictured).

 The officials said they had discussed with the government and residents’ associations on ways of resolving the complaints.

The talks were said to have culminated in a working group comprising officials from Perak, Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Board, National Environmental Management Authority, Nairobi County Government, and residents’ groups.

According to Perak, they attended two meetings convened by Nairobi Deputy Governor James Njoroge Muchiri before the crackdown. They also lamented harassment, extortion and solicitation of bribes by Nairobi County officers.

He warned that closure of the establishments threatens the livelihoods of workers at nightclubs, pubs, and bars, service providers and the entire entertainment value chain, jeopardising an estimated 36,000 jobs.

He said the crackdown would exacerbate illicit liquor trade.